Dear Christian friends:

Our text today reminds of a very famous picture of Jesus, the Ecce Home painting, showing Jesus crowned with thorns.

We may quickly blame the soldiers who mocked Jesus like that and say, "I would never do that. Shame on them!" But don't blame the soldier only. If you think about mockery you will have to confess that you, too, have joined in making fun of Jesus or doing carelessly with Him.

Therefore we ask you to think about this question today:


Let us see what happened in that place. Because the Jews demand it and because he was a coward, Pilate condemned Jesus to be crucified and gave him to the soldiers to go and do that. The soldiers wanted to have come fun with the prisoner before they killed him, so they took him into their guard room and mocked Him. They had heard Jesus say that He was a King. So they said, "He is a king, let us make him look like a king. One said, "A king must have a royal robe, let us find a robe!" So they searched around and found on old robe, maybe one of Pilate's old ones, and put it on Him.

Another said, "A king should have a crown, let us make a crown for him." So they made one of thorns and pressed it on His head. Another said, "A king must have a scepter." So they found a stick and forced Him to hold it. Another said, "You must bow before a king." So they all laughed and bowed before Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews." Then one took the stick and struck Him on the head while the others spit in His face.

They did not understand the terrible thing they were doing. They didn't know that the Man was the Son of God, truly King over all the earth and heaven. He had left heaven and was born of the Virgin Mary in a stable in Bethlehem. God became a Man and lived among men, hiding His power and glory. Sometimes He showed it: Stilled the Storm. Raised the dead. Fed 5,000 with only two fishes and five loaves of bread. Yes, these men were mocking the Almighty God.

Why did He let them do that? Because He is suffering to pay for man's sin, even for those who mock Him and crown Him with thorns. He is "the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world." Isaiah 750 years before prophesied: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:5-6

If He was wounded for our transgressions, then we were joined in His sufferings, we helped to mock Him. Were you there when He was crowned with thorns? Let us see! The soldiers were mocking Jesus. They said, "He is a king," but in their hearts they did not mean it.

We, too, say that Jesus is our King, but do we always believe it in our heart? It is easy to talk, talk, talk, but do we always really love Him and obey Him as our King?

Let us see:

Our King says, "If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed" John 8:31 Is God's Word really important to you? Do you read it and study it? If we neglect His Word, we despise and mock Him. He is not our King, then, but one whom we push aside. What about our attendance at church. Not true? We mock Him by not coming to Church. We say He is our King, but when He wants to talk to us in a Church sermon, we fail to come and hear him.

Our King commands us to love one another: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34-35

Yet some say that Jesus is their King, but they hate others. Their selfishness and unkindness shows in their lives. Church members refuse to speak to one another. Brothers and sisters quarrel and complain. This proves that Christ is really not King in their hearts, although they say it often.

If Christ is King in your heart, He will also be King over your money. Is He King of your money? If He really was, you would be giving more for Church and charity. We would not be behind all the time in our church work if Jesus truly ruled over your money.

Our King urges us to pray fervently. He says, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22 Surely every Christian prays. But, not true? We often forget prayers and doubt if it helps. A king is able to do as his people ask. So our King is able and glad to hear our prayers and help. If we fail to ask Him, we are not really using Him as our King and in a way mock Him.

Yes we must confess that we were there when they crowned Him with thorns. But although we have done all these things against Him, although we deserve to be punished, He forgives us by His mercy and keeps us in His kingdom. And He is able to do this because He has conquered all enemies and our enemies.

He reigns in glory now.

"The head that once was crowned with thorns
is crowned with glory now;
a royal diadem adorns
the mighty Victor's brow."
(TLH 219 Hymn, The Head That Once Was Crowned With Thorns)

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:7-11

On Judgement Day we shall see Jesus crowned with glory and honor and power. On that day we, who have often put thorn crowns on His head, will receive a crown of life from His hands. Then our hands, having been cleaned by His blood, will praise Him in adoration as our Savior-King.

But until He comes in glory, let us serve Him more truly as our true King. Not only by saying, "My King" but proving it by our deeds of love and kindness. Let us proclaim Him to others that that they, too, will know Him as their Savior-King. They they will share His glory with us when He comes again.

Amen.